Presentation

[KathyLauren]

I have been asked by my astronomy club to do a presentation for beginners at the summer star party (campout for astronomy nerds).  I'm flattered, and I want to do it.  I'm pretty good at presentations like that.

The only thing is that I'd been thinking of going full time in late spring or early summer.  The star party would have been one of my first outings after going full time, and I'd been thinking of not attracting any more attention than necessary: just hanging back and listening to the presentations.  Well, standing on a stage with a projector, that isn't exactly going to work!  Talk about being out there!

On the one hand, this is how I make progress: I give myself a target or a deadline and, as it approaches and I start to panic, damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead.  On the other hand, EEK!! 

I guess I'll do it, but I'm scared.

[Floof]

Sounds absolutely terrifying, very impressed that you are thinking of going through with it! Takes a lot more bravery than I can ever seem to summon . If you feel like this is a group of people likely to take it pretty well, I it would be a great oportunity to break some barriers and get a huge confidence boost. And get ready for some questions I guess, my first major public outing was basically me explaining to countless people what a transgender is

[KathyLauren]

Thanks, Floof.

The group putting on the event will be a good crowd.  One of the things that convinced me to investigate being trans was the (non-)reaction of this same group's national parent association to a presentation by a trans astrophysicist a couple of years ago at the national convention.  Everyone was talking about the presentation itself; no one was talking about the presenter.

On the other hand, this talk is aimed at beginners.  It will attract a few ordinary folks from the rest of the campground who aren't familiar with nerd culture.  There could be a few hillbillies on the crowd.

[SailorMars1994]

How amazing ! congrats on being such a brave woman !!!! I wish you the best <3  For whatever reason i had thought you were already full time hehe

[Yanira]

Knock 'em dead girl!

[mac1]

Let us know what happens.

[KathyLauren]

D'oh, I see I wasn't clear.  Sorry about that.  The presentation is about astronomy, not about gender! 

I am sincerely hoping that there will be no questions or comments about gender.  That's why I am freaking out about it.  I know there will be gossip about me, and perhaps even a question or two, one-on-one.  And I am fully prepared to either answer questions honestly, or tell them to go pound sand, depending on who or what.  But if the topic comes up in the presentation, I will consider it a massive fail. 

[Tessa James]

Oh LOL, my bad really for assuming too much.  You mean to say everything is not about being trans???   Shockingly good to know we all have interesting lives beyond this stratosphere

Standing up still takes courage and you remain admirable in my eyes for being up there in any capacity

[KathyLauren]

Update:

I contacted the organizer who invited me to do the presentation and came out to him.  He is totally cool with it all and was very reassuring in his reply.  He assured me that the group will be fine.  Apparently there was someone else who transitioned while a club member many years ago, and nobody had any problem with it, even way back then.  He assured me that the organizers will "have my back" if there is any trouble.

So I am going to do it!  *Gulp!*  Yay for me, I think.  I have five months until the event.   

[PinkThorn682]

I have a hard enough time giving presentations anyway without this sort of anxiety on top of it all.

-hugs-

[Denise]

I'll say one thing, bullies typically aren't Astro nerds.  I've been around enough to know that most of them (me included) are too socially awkward to be a jerk about it.  IMHO the worst will be an inappropriate question that you could answer with a funny answer.

BTW, can you enlighten on where/when.  I'm always up for a good star party.  I'll bring my Meade.

[LizK]

Update:

I contacted the organizer who invited me to do the presentation and came out to him.  He is totally cool with it all and was very reassuring in his reply.  He assured me that the group will be fine.  Apparently there was someone else who transitioned while a club member many years ago, and nobody had any problem with it, even way back then.  He assured me that the organizers will "have my back" if there is any trouble.

So I am going to do it!  *Gulp!*  Yay for me, I think.  I have five months until the event.   

I am supposed to be attending a Nurse reunion in May and I wrote the organiser and she told me that basically because of what I had told her it made it all the more important that I attend the reunion.

It blew me away that she would feel like that and be so instantly supportive...sometimes I think we expect the worst and are really surprised when we meet someone who so genuinely accepting.

Have fun, will do you the world of good

Liz

[KathyLauren]

BTW, can you enlighten on where/when.  I'm always up for a good star party.  I'll bring my Meade.

You'd have a bit of a drive.  It's in Nova Scotia.

[JeanetteLW]

   Wow Kathy. I take my hat off to you. (not for long as my balding head gets cold)  I can't imagine getting up on a stage for whatever reason en femme. You presenting is good enough for a kudo. Doing it as part of your coming out is  mind boggling.
    I'd be too chicken. Heck I am struggling with going to meet Tessa at a trans-woman support meeting Friday. (never been to one) I'll be going in male mode but am toying with having a few subtle femme touches. Toying mind you no promises.

  Anyway I hope all goes stupendous when the time comes. You have all that time between now and then to fret about it. I know I would be. But like you once a commitment is made I tend to keep them.

  Hugs,
    Jeanette

[Floof]

That is awesome, you are one brave woman Kathy! I still get anxious trying to 'perform' in front of the other people in line at the grocery store . Best of luck to you, but I have a feeling this is going to go so well <3 .